Thomas Young is injured (and not to my mind very good) and you have two hookers and two back rows (no looseheads or locks) on your bench.

The first XV for the opening game pretty much picks itself, who to start at 6 is the only real conundrum. I suspect Gatland will go for Lydiate or even James King, but surely Aaron Shingler is the most deserving based on recent form. Jake Ball will surely partner Jones in the second row.

The bench is more interesting. Most of the names are predictable but there are one or two calls to make. Based on form I think Baldwin's star has well and truly fallen, and based on the choices made for the Summer squad it looks like Kristian Dacey is the beneficiary, though Ryan Elias and even Elliot Dee must be close behind. A lot will depend on form. If any uncapped player gets some time this autumn it will be Dee, the way he's going at least. I will assume that Dacey gets the pick though, for now. The back-rower on the bench will depend to a certain extent on who gets picked to start at 6, but Griffiths' ability to play across the back row may just give him the edge over the likes of Olly Cracknell etc. - he seems to be being very closely watched by the management as Warburton mk2 and surely he'll at least be in the squad. Sam Davies will probably keep his seat on the bench but surely now (and with his rival Anscombe injured) it is time to see Patchell at 10 for Wales. Steff Evans is another player whose time has surely come, not even Gatland could pick Cuthbert on current form.

SmithDaceyFrancisHillGriffithsG. DaviesPatchellSteff Evans

Reserves:

This will depend on a number of factors, not least the size of the squad they go for, but based on the summer squad I think Wyn Jones and Dillon Lewis are clearly in the plans and have edged their rivals in their positions even if they are not close to challenging for the first XV yet. Seb Davies is playing very well for the Blues at the moment and again, is clearly in the management's plans having edged the young Ospreys. I think personally that Bradley Davies and Charteris are done, though the management will probably include Davies to justify his dual contract. Aled Davies seems to be the next 9 off the block but I would pick Jonathan Evans, whom the Scarlets seem to prefer. With Anscombe out I'd pick Owen Williams as a backup 10 and Hallam Amos to cover the back 3, and Cory Allen as the best of a bad bunch at Centre.

All eyes should now be focused on preparing for the World Cup in a couple of years. With that in mind, I would like to see some of the younger players who went on the summer tour involved with the squad going forward. I would go with something like (taking into account that Warburton, Moriarty and Anscombe are injured):

Squad of 32 looks about right. Jenkins and Charteris might not make the World Cup, but their experience over the next few camps could be welcome. Gone for Priestland due to his good start with Bath, but doubt he will be selected and it will be Sam Davies instead.

Some of the timeservers are available now aren't they? Would Brok Harris be an option as third choice tighthead and Would Hadleigh Parkes be a decent option to cover a few positions?

Thu Sep 21, 2017 1:04 pm

tom21

World XV Player

Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 1:09 amPosts: 3853

Re: The squad Gatland should pick for the Autumn internationals

Figaro wrote:

Thomas Young is injured

Could be back this weekend according to Young Sr.

Thu Sep 21, 2017 1:11 pm

Langland Exile

World XV Player

Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 5:40 pmPosts: 60920Location: Los Angeles, CA

Re: The squad Gatland should pick for the Autumn internationals

lack of quality depth is apparent.

_________________We are all in the gutter but me and my mam are looking at the stars!

Thu Sep 21, 2017 3:09 pm

Bouch

World XV Player

Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2011 6:24 pmPosts: 44935Location: Llanharan

Re: The squad Gatland should pick for the Autumn internationals

Langland Exile wrote:

lack of quality depth is apparent.

Yep, England do have a lot more players too ...

Fri Sep 22, 2017 8:36 am

JOHNWALES

Club Player

Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2017 4:16 pmPosts: 280

Re: The squad Gatland should pick for the Autumn internationals

Some strange selections up there. Personally I have not got the slightest idea on who to select, and I guess W G is in the same boat !!!

Realistically I think Steff Evans deserves a start, and Liam Williams should be full back; Halfpenny looks a little sluggish these days.

Fri Sep 22, 2017 9:37 am

Donkka

Regional Player

Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2017 4:16 pmPosts: 317

Re: The squad Gatland should pick for the Autumn internationals

God, looking at some of the names on these lists only reinforces my belief that we can field a tidy/decent injury free 23 but the cupboard is bare if there is a run of injuries.

Fri Sep 22, 2017 11:38 am

AverageBBCjournalist

World XV Player

Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2012 2:08 pmPosts: 3449

Re: The squad Gatland should pick for the Autumn internationals

Feels a squad in transition as a few stalwarts have their best days behind them and some of the younger players are struggling to find through

I would like to see Dacey given a game against top level opposition to see if he is up to it

I would partner ball with Seb Davies at lock to see how that goes

Young or Griffiths at 6. Shingler isn't an international for me

Inside centre is a headache for wales as Williams hasnt grasped the opportunity. Can you try patchell there?

Sun Sep 24, 2017 1:10 pm

Andrew (Scum V)

Site Admin

Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:09 pmPosts: 28285Location: Pontllanfraith

Re: The squad Gatland should pick for the Autumn internationals

tom21 wrote:

All eyes should now be focused on preparing for the World Cup in a couple of years. With that in mind, I would like to see some of the younger players who went on the summer tour involved with the squad going forward. I would go with something like (taking into account that Warburton, Moriarty and Anscombe are injured):

Squad of 32 looks about right. Jenkins and Charteris might not make the World Cup, but their experience over the next few camps could be welcome. Gone for Priestland due to his good start with Bath, but doubt he will be selected and it will be Sam Davies instead.

Some of the timeservers are available now aren't they? Would Brok Harris be an option as third choice tighthead and Would Hadleigh Parkes be a decent option to cover a few positions?

You know who to blame if Priestland doesn't make it? Your friends at RRW HQ

_________________Dear England, you can make as many sheep jokes as you want, you voted for a pig *fupper*!

Thu Oct 12, 2017 10:26 am

spinbreath

thread ruining clique

Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:26 pmPosts: 19286Location: Dinbych

Re: The squad Gatland should pick for the Autumn internationals

Want to see Steff Evans on the wing. He's in absolutely superb form.

_________________I have no *fupping* idea what I'm talking about.

Thu Oct 12, 2017 4:52 pm

The Abominable Dr. Phibes

Junior Player

Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2017 3:22 pmPosts: 110

Re: The squad Gatland should pick for the Autumn internationals

JOHNWALES wrote:

Some strange selections up there. Personally I have not got the slightest idea on who to select, and I guess W G is in the same boat !!!

Realistically I think Steff Evans deserves a start, and Liam Williams should be full back; Halfpenny looks a little sluggish these days.

You are wrong there, Gatland will know exactly who to select, he will look at his old team sheets for the last 3 or 4 years and select the same, barring any injuries of course.As for tactics, even easier, haven't altered since 2008.

Fri Oct 13, 2017 3:46 am

Andrew (Scum V)

Site Admin

Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:09 pmPosts: 28285Location: Pontllanfraith

Re: The squad Gatland should pick for the Autumn internationals

The Abominable Dr. Phibes wrote:

JOHNWALES wrote:

Some strange selections up there. Personally I have not got the slightest idea on who to select, and I guess W G is in the same boat !!!

Realistically I think Steff Evans deserves a start, and Liam Williams should be full back; Halfpenny looks a little sluggish these days.

You are wrong there, Gatland will know exactly who to select, he will look at his old team sheets for the last 3 or 4 years and select the same, barring any injuries of course.As for tactics, even easier, haven't altered since 2008.

Yawn

_________________Dear England, you can make as many sheep jokes as you want, you voted for a pig *fupper*!

Sun Oct 15, 2017 6:04 pm

Andrew (Scum V)

Site Admin

Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:09 pmPosts: 28285Location: Pontllanfraith

Re: The squad Gatland should pick for the Autumn internationals

Apparently we have a three man shortlist to replace Gatland!

Tandy, Young and Kingsley Jones I suspect

_________________Dear England, you can make as many sheep jokes as you want, you voted for a pig *fupper*!

Who is online

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum